not much to say this time around. i'm thinking things will be all wrapped up by chapter 25 or so, now. but it could go as long as thirty. we'll see. enjoy!

Chapter 19

She couldn't sleep after dinner. Cid had used the ship's rations and made something that tasted pretty decent, while Chaos had complained bitterly about the lack of fresh meat. Then they'd all gone off to bead, but Yuffie had spent nearly an hour staring at the ceiling before giving in to the fact that her mind wouldn't calm enough to sleep.

Yuffie paced around in her room for a while longer before grabbing her coat and heading out to the deck. The night was well below freezing, and the full moon didn't even create the illusion of warmth. She sighed when she thought of Vincent being out in this cold.

"You should be in bed." The ninja nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Chaos' voice coming from the darkness.

She looked up to see him crouched, gargoyle-like, on the roof of the deck access way. "So should you," she replied.

"Couldn't sleep." The demon jumped from the roof to the deck with a rustling of wings.

"Me either." Yuffie tucked her hands inside her pockets and stared off into the darkness. "Do you really think he's still alive?"

"I don't know. I want to say yes, but…"

"I know. I want to believe that he is, but I can't do it." Tears welled up in her eyes, and Yuffie could feel the lump forming her throat that signaled an oncoming crying fit. "It was so easy to believe, when we were in Midgar. But it's been how many days now?"

"Four." Chaos could feel the ninja's pain as if it were his own. He moved over to her and put an arm around her.

She responded by pulling herself close against his side and putting an arm around him as well. "What do I do if he is gone?"

"You live," he replied. "You love your friends and are loved in return, and you live."

"You make it sound so easy."

"Its not. It will be the hardest thing you'll ever do, for a long time."

"But you'll be there, right?"

What does she mean by that? The demon was silent for a long moment before replying, "Always."

"I'm gonna hold you to that." She gave the demon a squeeze.

He chuckled and hugged her back. "I expected no less." His tone turned more serious. "I meant it when I said that you wouldn't be alone again."

"I know you did." The ninja fell silent, basking in the closeness—the not aloneness—of Chaos.

They stood on the deck like that for a long time, staring off into the night. Chaos' time sense told him it was well past midnight when he finally said, "You need to get some sleep. Highwind will want to be off at dawn."

"You're right. And you should go inside before you freeze."

"So I should." The demon smiled, a sight that would have scared her witless a few months ago. "Thank you for sharing the night with me. You were lovely company."

Yuffie felt herself blushing slightly at Chaos' tone. "Uh…You're welcome."

He turned her toward the door and shoved her gently toward it. "Goodnight, Yuffie."

As she opened the door, Yuffie wondered, Is it just me, or is Chaos acting weirder than usual?

"Goodnight, Chaos. Come in soon."

"I will." He watched her enter the stairwell, then turned back to the darkness.

I don't think I can do this. After we find Vincent—if we find Vincent—I have to leave. It's the only way they can be happy together.

The demon ignored the part of his mind that demanded, But what about your happiness?